Bman's Blues Report

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Larsen Jazz artist: David Larsen - Cohesion - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cohesion, from David Larsen and it's a complex yet very enjoyable set. Opening with title track, Cohesion, David Larsen on bari sax and Darryl Yokley on tenor sax set up the intro over the tight rhythm of Wayne Smith Jr on drums and Alex Apollo on bass. With Zaccai Curtis on piano, anchors the melody while Apollo sets off on a really nice bass solo before taking the lead himself. Larsen and Yokley crafty rich solos of their own before rejoining in modal form for the refrain. Very solid opener. Movement again sees Yokley and Larsen playing in tandem, with suspended chords and each shows his chops as Smith and Curtis hold the line and Apollo drives the bottom on bass. Hard bop, Fedchock is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it's straightforward drive and excellent soloing by Larsen, Yokley and Curtis. Kick back and enjoy. Wrapping the release is El Duelo, reminiscent of the great Shorter/Coltrane compositions. With intense lead by Yokley and Larsen, hot soloing by Apollo and Curtis and tight rhythmic control by Smith, this is an excellent closer.

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Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Flatiron Recordings artist: Leo Lyons and Hundred Seventy Split - Movin' On - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Movin' On, by Leo Lyons Hundred Seventy Split and it's a super blues rocker. Lyons, best known as the bass anchor for legendary Ten Years After band with Alvin Lee. Opening with Walking in the Devil's Shoes, a straight up rocker with blues overtones, Lyons is joined by Joe Gooch on lead guitar and vocal, who stepped up when Lee left TYA in the early 2000's, and Damon Sawyer on drums. Cool shuffle, It's So Easy To Slide really has a great feel with Gooch's vocals floating on the the tight action of Lyons and Sawyer, adding his own crisp guitar riffs between vocals phrases. Excellent! Mad Bad and Dangerous really brings to mind Alvin Lee's Ten Years After with it's high energy, driving bottom and vocals, and rowdy, non stop guitar riffs. Really potent. Easy flowing shuffle, Meet Me at the Bottom, has a really nice feel with the deep feel of Lyons with his walking bass line and Gooch with fluid guitar lead. Very nice. Wrapping the release is romping, Time To Kill, with a driving bass line by Lyons and aggressive rock drum line by Sawyer. Gooch really suits this style band perfectly with his solid vocal presence and relentless guitar lead. I really enjoyed this release.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Blue Heart Records artist: Rick Vito - Cadillac Man - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cadillac Man, from Rick Vito, and it very cool. Opening with Love Crazy Baby, a solid shuffle Rick Vito on lead vocal and guitar takes command of the track, backed by Mojo Johnson on drums, and Jim Hoke on sax. Blues rocker, Little Sheba has a cool mix of blues, rock and ethnic overtones, with Steve Marriner on harmonica working nicely together with Vito on guitar and vocal. A tight drum line by Jackson and Vito on bass makes this an ideal radio track. Slow blues, Crying at Midnight, is a real nice track with a super melody showcasing Vito's vocals as well and his Fleetwood Mac guitar influence. Very nice. Chicago style blues, Barbeque'n Baby had a great feel with Vito on slide guitar and vocal. This is a pretty hopping track and surely a favorite. Instrumental. Just Another Day is one of my favorites on the release featuring the lead slide work of Vito, backed by Hoke on sax, Jackson on drums, and Kevin MacKendree on B3. Very nice. Another track with wide radio appeal is You Can't Stop a Guitar (from Playing the Blues). With a romping beat led by Lynn Williams on drums, Vito again lets the slide loose. Wrapping the release is slow blues, Sliding Into Blue with Vito playing melody on slide. This is a really nice track and a strong closer for a solid release.

Monday, April 1, 2024

Shifting Paradigm Records artist: Chris Rottmayer - Being - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Being, from Chris Rottmayer, and it's a cool set of modern jazz. Opening with On The Street Where Woody Lives, Chris Rottmayer on piano paired with Matt Endres on drums and Rufus Reid really set a nice atmosphere. Russ Johnson on trumpet takes the first leg and really sets a nice stage on trumpet followed by Rottmayer who stretches nicely on piano. Strong opener. Pigalle has a quiet nature with a warm bass line by Reid and ethereal trumpet work by Johnson, floating on the piano weave created by Rottmayer. Reid stretches on bass, really setting down a warm melody with only a light structure of piano and drums. Rottmayer elaborates on the structure set by Reid, creating a very nice overall atmosphere. Song of Modes in 3, has a nice flow and with a tight bottom by Endres and Reid. Johnson on trumpet sets the melodic structure which is really nice and Rottmayer on piano takes it for a really nice run on piano. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Rue des Lombards with it's driving bass line and Johnson laying down some great bop melody. Rottmayer really takes this track for a ride with excellent piano improv, and Endres kicks in a tight drums solo of his own making this my favorite track on the release and an excellent closer.

Friday, March 29, 2024

OA2 Records artist: Randy Napoleon - The Door Is Open: The Music of Gregg Hill - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Door Is Open: The Music of Gregg Hill, by Randy Napoleon, and it's quite engaging. Opening with The Lost Tune, a lush melody with a Latin rhythm really is a solid opener. With rich vocals by Aubrey Johnson and well phrased guitar lead by Randy Napoleon, this tune floats. With Rick Roe on piano, Quincy Davis on drums, and Lucas LaFave on bass, sit back and let it flow over you. Light and aiery, Escape to Cat Island has a brisk Latin feel with a real nice trumpet solo by Anthony Stanco. Roe, always on top of things on piano is a key contributor and the slashing cymbal work of Davis and energetic bass lines of Rodney Whitaker really gives this track zip. Napoleon and Johnson work nicely to create a united front on Motel Blues, a slower blues with a samba rhythm, supported by Stanco, Walter Blanding on tenor sax and Andrew Kim on trombone. A real nice bass solo by LaFave leads back to Napoleon on guitar for one of my favorites on the release. The Last Pop Tune has a great walking bass line by LaFave, driving under Napoleon, Johnson and Roe. Very nice. Wrapping the release, is slinky, horn saturated Triple Play. With a tight drum rhythm and nicely interwoven horn, piano, and vocal lines providing a solid blanket for Napoleon on guitar, this is a strong closer.

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Toy Robot Music artist: Troy Roberts - Green Lights - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Green Lights, from Troy Roberts, and it's solid. Opening with title track, Green Lights, Troy Roberts on tenor sax shows his chops with excellent melodic riffs over a solid bottom by John Patitucci on bass and Jimmy MacBride on drums. Guitarist Paul Bollenback on guitar really adds strong fusion guitar work with full spectrum sound, leading back to Roberts who expands his sax work. Tight opener. Solar Panel is an aggressive track with excellent drum articulation by MacBride and a jagged melody lead by Roberts. Patitucci really drives on bass and Bollenback adds round fusion tones before riffing into a terrific solo of his own. Very cool. I really like the rhythm of Up To No Good with a strong melody line by Roberts and one of Bollenback's best guitar runs on the release. This is my favorite track on the release with super phrasing by Roberts on his expanded solo on the melody. Excellent! Wrapping the release is a cool jam, Stretch Armstrong, led off by Bollenback. Roberts takes the baton and rides high on Bollenback,s chord structure over Patitucci and MacBride. Excellent!

Friday, March 22, 2024

Cali Bee Music artist: Brad "Guitar" Wilson - Buckle Up - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Buckle Up, from Brad "Guitar" Wilson and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with rock n roller, Lucille, with it's Chuck Berry overtones, driven by the bass lines of Hal Cragin on bass, Adam Gust on drums, Chris Rhyne on piano and Wilson on lead vocal and lead guitar. Solid opener. Boogie rockin, Hoodoo Party, really has a great feel and Wilson gets a chance to walk his guitar up and down the fretboard with plenty of rocking style. Very cool. Title track, Buckle Up, really has a bit of Lynyrd Skynyrd swagger. With backing vocal by Su Isaac and Galen Keith and cool rhythm guitar riffs putting you in mind of Keith Richards, this is a cool radio track. Cast Your Shade is a cool, blues rocker with a strong bottom. Wilson's vocals nicely compliment the strong guitar phrasing and excellent drum rhythm on this track. A guitar ballad, Sky Full Of Rain should really attract crowd appeal with a strong melody, lead vocal and longer, well formed guitar phrases and expressions along the lines of Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa or David Gilmore. Wrapping the release is Hit It, with a contemporary rock feel. With synthesized horns, organ and jazzy guitar, Wilson, jams over a very danceable closer.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

FOG Blues & Brass Band - Twelve Bar Prescription - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Twelve Bar Prescription, from FOG Blues & Brass Band and it's a full blown brass blues rocker. Opening with title track, Twelve Bar Prescription, a bass driven rocker featuring Al Hosack on bass, and Hilliard Walter on lead vocal this track is moving. With a ripping guitar solo by Tim Palser, Dan Jancar on tenor and bari sax and powerful support by Domenic DiNino on drums, Bobby Becker on keys, and Joe Dublanski on alto sax, this is a punchy opener. Funky, Seven Year Itch, really has a great feel with hot vocals by Walter and a great mix between sax and keys and another smoky guitar solo by Palser. R&B flavored, Hey Lucy, has a great JB boogaloo rhythm. Walter really works the vocals and Dublanski and Jancar kick it hard on sax. Wrapping the release is rocker, Who's Gonna Suffer with high energy drumming by DiNiro and a great mix on sax and keys. A great bass line by Hosack anchors the track tight and Dublinski and Jancar really fire the track up. Excellent closer.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Madison Records artist: The Moore-McColl Jazz Society - Up And Gone - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Up And Gone, by The Moore-McColl Jazz Society and it's an interesting blend of R&B, pop, rock and jazz. Opening with What's Still Happening, Beth Moore on keys and Chance McColl on guitar create an slightly funky track with a cool melody. With Tim Aucoin on bass, Joel Morris on drums, Randy Hunter on alto sax, Caleb Latimore on trumpet, Justin Powell on trumpet and Declan Ward on alto sax. Sunlit Flower (Against The Sky) is a supple ballad featuring Moore on lead vocal, accompanied by McColl on acoustic guitar. Nicely blended backing vocals give the track a really nice iridescence. R&B track, Back To Atlanta has a bit of a 60's 70's soundtrack feel with saturated keys by Moore and nicely phrased guitar soloing by McColl. Lattimore belts out a solid trumpet solo followed by a real nice alto solo and a nicely phrased guitar solo by McColl. Wrapping the release is No Apology, with McColl on lead vocal and a funky bass line by Aucoin giving the track its body. With punchy horn work by Powell, Lattimore, Ward and Hunter and a tight guitar solo by McColl, this track could be from the Steely Dan song book. Solid closer.

Monday, March 18, 2024

The Diva Jazz Orchestra - "30" Live at Dizzy's - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, "30" Live At Dizzy's, from the Diva Jazz Orchestra and it's a big splash of big band. Opening with Bernstein's Something's Coming, the band is lead by drummer Sherrie Maricle with grand support from Liesl Whitaker on trumpet, Jami Dauber on trumpet, Kellin Hanas on trumpet and Barbara Laronga on trumpet. Jennifer Krupa on trombone, Sara Jacovino on trombone, Leslie Havens on bass trombone, Noriko Ueda on bass, Tomoko Ohno on piano and featuring Erica von Kleist on alto sax and Kellin Hanas on trumpet. Powerful opener. Sue Giles is featured upfront on vocal on Here's To Life with a light Latin rhythm and warm horn backing. On a swinging take on Memphis Slim's Every Day I Have The Blues, Giles is again upfront on lead vocal with warm sax under the bottom and trumpets on top, this track has a great bass driven bottom. Schella Gonzales really wails on alto sax giving this track a real kick. One of the top jam tracks on the release is up tempo, Three Sisters and a Cousin with ripping solos by von Kleist, Gonzalez, Dreyer, Jade Elliott and Leigh Pilzer on sax. Nice! Wrapping the release is Charlie Christian's high speed, Airmail Special, featuring solos by von Kleist on sax, Hanas on trumpet, Ueda on bass and Maricle on drums. Excellent closer.

Friday, March 15, 2024

Aguanko - Unidad - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Unidad, by Aquanko and it's a heaping plate of Latin flavored jazz. Opening with Kintsugi, a fleet footed mambo, features Alberto Nacif on congas, Jose Espinosa on timbales and percussion, and Patrick Prouty on bass. Featuring hot brass by Charlie Miller on trumpet, Russ Miller on sax, Rick Roe on piano and Christopher Smith on trombone this is a solid opener. Un Poco Cubop has excellent mambo rhythm, with strong piano and timbales work under the perfectly blended horn work of Smith, Charlie Miller and Russ Miller. Another mambo, Interception really moves, With tight horn interplay between Smith and the Millers as well as driving piano by Roe and Nacif's confident congas work, this track is explosive. Wrapping the release is Espacio Verde with it's infectious rhythm. A stellar piano solo by Roe, a warm sax solo by Russ, Charlie's articulate trumpet work and Nacif and Espinosa really accentuating the rhythm, this is a hot closer.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Whiskey Bayou Records artist: Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos - Cheat The Devil - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Cheat The Devil, from Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos and it's a strong blues rocker. Opening with Sweet Little Devil, a funky rocker with biting lead/slide guitar work by Anthony Rosano and cowbell laden drum work by Kyle McCormick, how could you go wrong. Jake Fultz on bass really does a solid job of driving this train and I gotta say, Rosano's lead vocals sound quite a bit like one of my favorite lead voices in rock, James Dewar of Robin Trower fame and together this is a great sound. Fat, distorted guitar tone permeates the opening of slow blues, What Kind of Fool, and with deep bass and tight drum work, Rosano really works the lead vocal on this track. Dropping out all of the overdriven guitar saturation, Rosano develops a beautiful melodic guitar line. Very nice. Funky blues rocker, Jonesboro Road, really is a cool track with McCormick and Fultz laying down a great groove and Rosano singing and playing lead in call and response in a style used quite often by Warren Haynes. Great track. On Rosalita, Rosano again shows how great a lead vocalist he really is, with rich lead vocals and playing Spanish flavored, melodic lead guitar giving the track just the slightest taste without changing the overall flavor of the set. Very nice. Wrapping the set is a cool rocking interpretation of Slim Harpo's King Bee. With an aggressive bass/drum line and a rock funky feel, Rosano works the lead vocal/lead guitar leaving a wanting for more. Very solid closer.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Basset Hound Records artist: The Jim Self & John Chiodini Quintet - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Touch and Go, from The Jim Self & John Chiodini Quintet and it's a cool set with dominant melodic lead on Fluba (a tuba sized flugelhorn). Opening with Touch and Go, Jim Self on Fluba and Ron Stout on trumpet, set the melody with John Chiodini on guitar, Ken Wild on bass and Kendall Kay on drums. The bottom is aggressive and tight giving Self a solid floor to show what a Fluba can do. Chiodini plays warm chords and gentle phrases leading to fluid soloing by Stout on trumpet and firm finger work by Wild. Solid opener. Benny Carter's Only Trust Your Heart features a particularly nice trio set by Self, Chiodini and Stout. Chiodini penned, Amber, is one of my favorites on the release with a cool bop feel a particularly nice interlude by Self and Stout and some of the nicest guitar work by Chiodini on the release. Triangles is a cool track in 3/4 time. Stout and Self weave seamlessly on Fluba and trumpet creating a solid melody with plenty of warmth and interest. With a tasty bass solo by Wild and another fluid solo by Chiodini on guitar, all held tight by Kay, this is a strong entry. Wrapping the release is Miles Davis', Dig. The band is tight on point at the intro before Stout breaks loose with a great trumpet melody over a driving bass line by Wild and Kay on drums. Self picks up the lead on tuba and then a hot solo by Chiodini on guitar making this an excellent closer for a tight release.

Monday, March 11, 2024

Little G. Weevil - If I May - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, If I May, from Little G. Weevil, and it's another in a line of solid releases from him. Opening with cool, blues rocker Yoga Girl (Hold Me Close) in the style of Willie Dixon, Little G onlead guitar and vocal has total control. With K.C. Brown on tight blues harp, Mr. Jambalaya on piano, Csaba Pengo on bass and Tom Kiss on drums, this is a strong opener. Wandering blues rocker, One Last Time really puts me in mind of early Savoy Brown and the great Kim Simmonds. With excellent musical tension, powerful vocal, thumping drumming by Kiss and excellent guitar lead by Little G., I love this track. Doctor Hay is a cool piano shuffle featuring Jambalaya on piano working hard with Pengo on bass under Little G's vocal. Nicely phrased guitar work by Little G gives the track a springy texture and a rakish grit. Very nice. Chicago style blues, Tingalingaling (Everybody's Qualified) really gets the band rolling with full house vocals, excellent harp work by Brown, rolling piano by Jambalaya and a firm bottom by Pengo and Kiss. Slow blues, We Don't Learn Much, features some real nice lead work by Little G. and potent vocals over the piano lead of Jambalaya. Written along the lines of a Broonzy tune, this track gives Little G. a chance to throw down some really stinging riffs to compliment his soulful vocals. Very nice. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, I Know Many Ways To Prove My Love. With thunderous drums by Kiss and and wailing guitar work by Little G., this is a strong closer for a strong release.

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Forty Below Records artist: John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - Live In 1967 Vol. 3 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live In 1967 Vol. 3. from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and it's terrific. Over the years I've embellished upon how much the British blues had on me personally and my personal taste in music. I's remarkable that these early tapes have come to light, featuring Green, Fleetwood, McVie and Mayall in their raw glory. It would have been a rare find when recorded and it's a real treat today. Opening with Brand New Start, Mayall on vocal, harmonica and organ is the leading force, with solid bottom by Fleetwood on drums, and the driving bass line of McVie but of course it's Mayall's harmonica and vocal, punched into oblivion by the sensitive hands of Green that make these cuts so vital. Listen to Green just rip away on Tear In My Eyes, a slow blues justcrafted excellently for Green's phrasing and style. He doesn't waste a phrase, making every impulse count, framed by Fleetwood. Brilliant! There's no question that the fidelity on some of this old tape is marginal, without it, these excellent examples of this band's work, which is not very plentiful would be all but lost. On Your Funeral And My Trial, it's all Mayall with some of his best harmonica and vocal on the release. Freddie King's Stumble is of course a real standout for Green with one fiery riff after another. This band truly was amazing. Wrapping the release is a strong cover of Otis Rush's Double Trouble, which translates to dark blues. Rush had an incredible ability to create more intensity per note than most any blues player in his time. Mayall not only had a nose for the best blues music happening anywhere in the world, but the ability to find and attract the best talent to join his quest, putting together the best functioning bands to spread the blues worldwide ... bar none, and to do over and again. Congratulations John on an excellent set and thanks to Forty Below for putting it together.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

McCannic Music artist: Pete McCann - Without Question - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Without Question, from Pete McCann and I like it's aggressive attack. Opening with title track, Without Question, Steve Wilson on alto sax and Pete McCann on electric guitar really rip it loose. With Henry Hey on piano, Matt Pavolka on bass and Mark Ferber on drums, this track is smokin. I really like the excitement created by Wilson and Ferber on Trifecta. McCann's guitar solo is unhinged, with intense energy. Very nice! Blues For O.M. is a "heady" exploration on Oliver Messianen who is known for the famous Modes of limited transposition. I think that this track works really well giving McCann a wide open floor to lay down a blistering guitar solo over a conventional walking bass line by Pavolka. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Erase The Hate, a soulful ballad featuring Wilson on alto leading the melody which has just a taste of Eastern influence. McCann shifts to more rock styling with Gary More ballad like soloing and Wilson to Soprano as a continued melody, with Hey holding the melody on piano. Solid closer for an intelligent release.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Origin Records artist: Maddie Vogler - While We Have Time - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, While We Have Time, by Maddie Vogler and it's quite entertaining. Opening with, The Need To Be, Maddie Vogler on Alto Sax, is joined by Tito Carrillo on trumpet and Flugelhorn, Matt Gold on guitar, Jake Shapiro on piano, Samuel Peters on bass and Neil Hemphill on drums. This track shows a definite interest in exploring Vogler's Cuban roots. Her sax soloing on this track is mature and intense. Great opener. Ropa Vieja is a more sensuous track with Vogler carrying a very nice intro. Vogler and Carrillo present a verry supple interplay before forging into a more dynamic portion of the track with intense work by Shapiro, Peters and Hemphill. Very nice. Between Wakefulness and Sleep, plays over a lightly salted Latin rhythm with the melody being shared between Vogler and Carrillo. But when the melody breaks, begins the fireworks begins. First up is Vogler with an explosive sax solo which leaves you wanting more, followed by Shapiro on piano. Wrapping the release is Check Engine Light with a more contemporary flair. With an intriguing horn rhythm hook created by Vogler and Carrillo, this track is just getting started. Gold steps up with a really nice guitar solo and there's no hiding the excellent drum/bass interplay of Hemphill and Peters making this a very solid closer.